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A landlord must at all times during the tenancy keep the premises fit for human habitation. In particular the landlord
must:
1. Correct violations of any health code or housing code standard and violations of any other laws and regulations which
endanger the tenants’ health or safety.
2. Maintain all structural components, such as roofs, floors, walls, chimneys,
fireplaces, foundations, in reasonably good repair.
3. Keep common areas such as hallways, laundry rooms, and parking lots
reasonably clean, sanitary, and safe from defects that could cause fires of other accidents.
4. Make sure the rental is not infested with rodents, insects, and other pests when the tenant moves in, and, except in
the case of a single family residence, control infestation during the tenancy unless the infestation is caused by the tenant.
5.
Keep the rental in as good repair, except for normal wear and tear, as it was or should have been at the beginning of the
tenancy or as agreed by the parties.
6. Provide adequate locks and keys.
7. Keep the electrical, plumbing, heating systems,
any appliances or other facilities supplied in good repair.
8. Keep the rental unit reasonably weathertight.
9. Provide
garbage cans and arrange for trash removal for tenants other than those who occupy single family residences.
10. Provide
facilities to supply a reasonable amount of heat and hot and cold water, unless the building is not equipped to supply these
utilities.
11. Provide a written notice to all tenants disclosing fire safety and protection information.
12. Designate
the name and address of the landlord either in the rental agreement or posting on the premises. Updates are to be by certified
mail or new postings.
RCW 59.18.060
Once on notice of needed maintenance the
landlord must commence repairs no later than:
- twenty-four hours, where the defective condition deprives the tenant of hot or cold water, heat, or electricity, or is
imminently hazardous to life;
- seventy-two hours, where the defective condition deprives the tenant of the use of a refrigerator, range and oven, or
a major plumbing fixture supplied by the landlord; and
- ten days in all other cases.
The landlord must see that the work is completed promptly.
RCW 59.18.070
City and/or county laws often impose additional are greater duties. Most require heat and water. The Seattle Housing
and Building Maintenance Code requires that the locks be changed between tenants, and that doors have peepholes as well as
deadbolts or deadlatches (SMC 22.206.140). You can check your own city’s codes by calling the Housing Code Enforcement office.
For information about a tenant's remedies if the landlord fails to carry out the obligation to maintain the habitability
of the premises click here.
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